Tag: Sunday Night Football

Playing with The House’s Money on Sunday Night

All division wins feel great but especially a 20+ point victory over the Broncos. It was exactly the dominating win the Raiders need as they rally confidence and winning experience en route to the playoffs. Defensively and offensively, the Raiders looked like a team focused and not distracted by COVID or Denver’s record.

Now, the Raiders will try and stretch their undefeated division record with another game versus the AfC West rivals Chiefs. We now know a lot more about this team since these two last played.

The Raiders proved they did not just get lucky by beating a playoff contending Browns team and two arch rivals. Kansas City continued finding ways to win and add some talent. This matchup is under the Sunday lights.

At this point, the Raiders are playing with the house’s money. The last victory versus Kansas City was the biggest regular season win since the Tay Train on Thursday Night. They proved themselves against the rest of the division. However, every loss counts in the tough AFC Wild Card race. The Chiefs are playing for that solo bye and a chance to redeem their only loss.

Good news, seven of the 10 players from the COVID list this week should play. Many of them starters on defense. The bad news, limited practice time before a game against Mahomes is not advised.

Still, the formula is not changing much. Josh Jacobs and Devontae Booker should see a lot of work. The goal is to stay in front of the chains, keep the clock running and control the game away from the Chief’s offense.

Las Vegas continues flashing big play ability but they are still not ready to shoot it out with the Chiefs. They need a strong running performance to open up the play action. Derek Carr continues playing well on third down which should help the Silver and Black maintain long drives. Kolton Miller should return which will help both the run and pass game.

Defensively, the Raiders line looked improved since that first Chiefs game. Nonethless, Crosby can’t be the only threat to get home and sack the quarterback. Maurice Hurst could return this game which gives the Raiders back their best interior rusher.

It also won’t help being down Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell is the Raiders best edge versus the run, he slides inside and played well versus the Chiefs. Carl Nassib and Arden Key will both need to step up. Key doesn’t have a sack this year and Nassib only has 1.5.

The Raiders are also down Cory Littleton. That won’t help them cover the Chiefs dynamic pass catchers at TE or RB. The x-factors are the safeties. Let’s see if the Jeff Heath hype is real.

When the Raiders are good, it’s cause their secondary plays well. The corners get Damon Arnette for this game. He missed the last game and they can use his speed versus the Chiefs.

Ultimately, the Raiders will need 100 rushing yards, a turnover and a big play from their receivers. They can get that and a strong showing from Carr and still lose though. That’s how talented the defensing Champion Chiefs are.

Considering our record and standing in the West, I wouldn’t be mad at a loss. Obviously, another win versus the Chiefs makes a huge statement for the entire league. Either way, playing well on one of the league’s grandest stages is enough given all the adversity this team is facing due to COVID.

PS Takk McKinley is free again. Maybe the Raiders can add him to their defense assuming he passes a physical.

No More Bye Week Blues and Keys versus the Buccaneers

The Las Vegas Raiders entered week 6 with a well deserved bye after defeating their rivals the Kansas City Chiefs by eight points.

No one, including myself gave Vegas a realistic shot at beating the Chiefs. Kansas City was playing well and the Raiders were up and down. An emphasis on the down part in the second half.

Still, I am thankful I was wrong. Vegas became the first team to defeat Chiefs starting QB Pat Mahomes by more than a touchdowns.

Kudos to Derek Carr and Jon Gruden for leading this team out of a two-game slump. The team could’ve gone either way but a statement road win over the Super Bowl champs should give this team momentum. For as much credit as they get for the teams struggling offense in the second half of past games, they deserve credit for coming out swinging this time.

The Chiefs played hard too. They didn’t play their best but it was far from a let down. Andy Reid has totally owned the Raiders since coming to the AFC West. The weather also fell into favor for the Raiders and Carr.

It also helped getting Trent Brown and Henry Ruggs back. You see the instant impact Ruggs brings when opponents must respect his speed on deep routes and play actions. Brown also brings his own level of physicality to the run game.

The defensive line also had their best outing of the season. Maxx Crosby is the only one who got home but Clellin Ferrell and Mo Hurst both played well.

Now, the question is how do the Raiders return from the Bye. Their next game won’t be any slouch. They’ll face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off their own big win of the NFC favorite Green Bay Packers.

Tampa Bay beat the Panthers and lost to the Saints. The Raiders beat both those two common opponents.

Moreover, the Raiders can’t act like they made their season with one win over a division opponent. They still have five more division games including another one against Kansas City.

Again, it’s not about reinventing the wheel. The Raiders need to keep pushing the ball. Three receiver sets continue to work. Nelson Agholor continues to make big plays. Hunter Renefrow got his strike in. They will need those contributions along with Darren Waller’s consistency versus a Tampa defense that is good against the pass.

On defense, the Raiders need to continue finding ways to get sacks. They also could have problems with the Bucs multiple tight ends.

Added pressure from the front can disrupt Tom Brady. Otherwise, the Raiders could face a long day with all that size and speed Tampa offers on the outside.

The Buccaneers also have a loaded backfield. Ronald Jones has come on as the starter but Leonard Fournette will probably return to the mix this week. Fournette’s size and physicality factors in versus a Raiders defense that can struggle versus the run. Jones’ is a threat as a pass catcher and runner. He’s shifty and could make some Raiders miss.

Ultimately, the Raiders will need to continue controlling the clock with Josh Jacobs. That’s the easiest way to cool down this Tampa offense that is loaded with weapons. They’ll also need to keep taking deep shots to keep the defense honest.

Tampa’s offensive line is good too. They are top-10 in run and pass blocking. Still, the Raiders defensive line proved it could impact games versus a good offensive line a few weeks ago in Kansas City. They need to keep that momentum going.

The last thing anyone wants is a let down after the Bye Week and a big division win. The Silver and Black got two weeks to prepare for this game. They should come out executing at that level. They should also come out fired up to face Gruden’s former team on Sunday Night.